Barunmirae, Daean, and Pyeonghwa Integration 'Stalled'... Depends on Sohn Hak-kyu and Jeong Dong-young

Unified Agreement Mandatory by the 17th
Alternative New Party Demands 'Son Hak-gyu and Chung Dong-young Resign'
Son's Refusal to Resign Creates Last-Minute Variable

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The Bareunmirae Party, the Alternative New Party, and the Party for Democracy and Peace have agreed to an unconditional merger by the 17th, but negotiations are facing difficulties over the leadership structure of the unified party. Ultimately, the positions of Son Hak-gyu, leader of the Bareunmirae Party, and Jeong Dong-young, leader of the Peace Party, have emerged as last-minute variables. Due to this, concerns are arising within each party that the three-party merger might ultimately collapse.

A Bareunmirae Party official said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 12th, "Leader Son intends to retain his position as party leader regardless of the form," adding, "The issue of Leader Son's position is crucial in the three-party merger." Another official also said, "Leader Son is adamant about keeping his leadership position," and "If it gets stuck there, the merger might not happen."

The three-party merger promotion meeting is reported to have reached a consensus to form the leadership of the unified party as a co-representative system with one member from each party. In particular, the Alternative New Party has reportedly expressed that it can accept the Bareunmirae Party's proposal for an absorption merger on the condition that Leaders Son and Jeong step down. This demand conflicts with the timing of resignation initially announced by Leader Son.

After the Supreme Council meeting on the same day, Leader Son told reporters, "The three-party merger should not become a matter of the party leader stepping down. I will take responsibility until a generational change merger is achieved," adding, "I intend to serve as the leader of the unified party for the sake of merging with the future generation. I will not retreat to a secondary position."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Park Joo-sun, Chair of the Bareunmirae Party's Grand Integration Reform Committee; Yoo Sung-yeop, Chair of the Alternative New Party's Merger Promotion Committee; and Park Joo-hyun, Special Chair of the Peace Party's Merger Promotion Committee, stated at a briefing following the first meeting of the three-party merger promotion meeting held in the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the afternoon of the 11th, "The three parties will achieve an unconditional merger, including the relinquishment of vested interests, by the 17th, and subsequently pursue a second merger with other political forces," adding, "A working subcommittee will be launched to discuss the members, party charter, and platform of the unified new party."

Regarding the 'relinquishment of vested interests' agreed upon, Chair Park explained, "It means not claiming nomination rights or shares in nominations." On the issue of the positions of each party leader, he said, "This is a matter to be discussed within the parties, and we agreed to talk to each party," adding, "It is not yet the stage to make an announcement."

Chair Yoo, speaking to reporters immediately after the meeting, was asked whether the leadership would be formed as a co-representative system. He replied, "There is the method where the person agreed upon and nominated by the three parties becomes the leader, or each party recommends a leader," adding, "There was also a demand to have the current leaders serve temporarily."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.